Conservative Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, in his first appearance in B.C. since the International Energy Agency warned earlier this month of pending U.S. energy self-sufficiency, will stress Canada’s need for infrastructure to access export markets for bitumen crude in Asia.

OTTAWA — The Harper government has and will continue to put environmental protection first when it comes to developing resource projects in British Columbia, a federal cabinet minister will tell a West Coast business audience Wednesday.

But Conservative Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, in his first appearance in B.C. since the International Energy Agency warned earlier this month of pending U.S. energy self-sufficiency, will also stress Canada’s need for infrastructure to access export markets for bitumen crude in Asia.

“Development will not proceed — no development — unless it is safe and responsible, because this is where British Columbians and Canadians have drawn the line,” says a draft text of Oliver’s speech provided to The Vancouver Sun.

But he stresses the importance of natural resource exports for the province and country, noting they represent 80 per cent of the province’s exports and 14 per cent of the economy.

“Most everyone in this room takes those statistics for granted,” the text states.

“We cannot assume, however, that outside of this room the importance of resource development is universally accepted or understood.”

He said resource industries support 100,000 direct and 100,000 indirect B.C. jobs, and provide $22 billion in royalties and tax revenues annually for federal and provincial governments to support social programs.

“Some feel that ‘prosperity’ is for corporations, not people,” Oliver is expected to tell the B.C. Business Council.

“This misperception is not their challenge. It is ours. Fostering a sense of inclusive prosperity, of shared prosperity, is a responsibility that government and the business community together must shoulder.”

The public must recognize the link between economic growth and “personal, family prosperity.”

Oliver’s speech takes place on the same day B.C. Premier Christy Clark plans a speech at a corporate fundraiser in Vancouver. Clark has taken a hard line on oilsands pipelines to B.C., demanding “world-class” environmental standards and added financial benefits before B.C. will agree to let major projects proceed.

Oliver is not expected to mention the two proposed pipeline megaprojects: Enbridge’s $6.5-billion oilsands line from the Edmonton area to Kitimat, and Kinder Morgan’s $4.1-billion expansion of its pipeline to Burnaby.

But he will draw attention to the Paris-based IEA’s report earlier this month that said expanded exploitation of shale gas and shale oil deposits could make the U.S. the world’s biggest oil producer by 2017.

And by 2035, the U.S. could be “almost self-sufficient in energy, in net terms,” a daunting prospect given that 98 per cent of Canada’s crude oil exports and 100 per cent of natural gas exports go to American customers, according to Oliver.

“We know that we command a lower price for our oil and gas because they don’t reach tidewater. We know that this costs the country $50 million every day,” he said.

“It’s never smart to have just one customer, and it reinforces why developing the infrastructure to build safe pipelines and transport our natural resources to new markets is essential.”

He said “tough” federal environmental laws will accompany the government’s decision to boost annual pipeline inspections by 50 per cent — from 100 to 150 — and double the frequency of comprehensive pipeline audits from three to six.

He will acknowledge, however, that there have been questions in B.C. about whether the Harper government will enforce its environmental laws.

“To many British Columbians, however, the issue is not the height of the statute books, but the depth of our resolve,” the text states.

“When the environmental heritage is at stake, we can, we will, and we have, placed preservation and protection first.”

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